FYI Miami: September 5, 2013

IMPACT FEES RISE: Miami-Dade County collected almost $28.3 million in developer impact fees in the past fiscal year, far above the four prior years but far behind collections during the economic boom that preceded them. Collections hit a low of $7.8 million in the year that ended Sept. 30, 2009, a report this week from Deputy Mayor Edward Marquez shows. The total rose to $9.7 milliaas recovery began to take hold. But in the year ended Sept. 30, 2006, collections had topped $48.1 million. The figures total separate fees collected for the impact of development on roadways, fire rescue, police needs, parks and recreation, and for impact fee administration. The fees are supposed to be expended around the developments that paid them.

AIR CARGO GAINS: A slim growth in cargo through Miami International Airport in the first seven months of this year could, if maintained, allow the airport to surpass last year’s record cargo figures “by a very slim margin,” according to an analysis of cargo figures issued by Joseph R. Smith, vice president of the Florida Foreign Trade Association. The airport’s cargo for the period rose .46% after rising 4.25% during the same period last year. Mr. Smith noted that for the first half of the year US trade was down .83%. He said that while US trade with Europe is down so far this year, “air cargo trade in the Europe-Miami lane is continuing to increase.”

COUNTRY CLUB DECISION: A decision from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity on the controversy over the former Westview Country Club’s land use change is expected by the end of October. The final decision has been in the department’s hands since Aug. 1, when Judge Suzanne Van Wyk issued a recommended order that the county’s decision be upheld. The Miami-Dade Commission approved last December a land use change in a residential area that allows a proposed $300 million redevelopment of the 196-acre site of the former Westview Golf Course, between Northwest 22nd and 27th avenues and 132nd and 107th streets. Community members challenged the approval on grounds that the land use change was inconsistent with the county’s plans and with the adjoining residential use. The department confirmed that it has 90 days to act from the date the recommended order was sent to it, which would be Oct. 30.

BRIDGE CLOSED: The Florida Department of Transportation on Tuesday closed the Southwest First Street bridge over the Miami River for 40 days for repairs. Detour signs were to be posted.